Oil apparatus



C. F. TEARS OIL APPARATUS Get. 23, 1928;

Original Filed June 18, 1923 777/6 7? far.- CZ'a axi l 75ers,

M4 2 y f/fw Patented a. 23, 1928.

UNITED .STA

TETSI .cnaunn 1*. means, or ammo, mnrgois', assronon T0 UNIVERSAL on. rnonuc'rs comrm, or cmcaeo, rumors, A conrona'rron or sou-m DAKOTA.

on, minim:

'- a ncauoa filed June 18,1928, Serial 1\ o.-646 ,055. Renewed ma 28,1928.

. This invention relates to improvements in 011 apparatus, and refers more particularly to a stream dividerto be used'in connection with distillation processes or cracking processesirrthe-treatmentof hydrocarbon oil.

Among the salient objects of the invention are to provide a device interposed between-the condenser and receiving tank of a distillation system, whereby controlled quantitles of the condensate" are directed to the receiver or collecting means, and a portion of the condensate comprising a controlled ratio of the condensate directed to the receiver, returned to the dephlegmatmg or fractionating column, and there utilized as a refluxing medium.

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of a cracking process in WhlCh the stream divider is positioned.

Fig. 2 is a detail of the internal construction of the device.

In the operation of a fractionatlng tower or refluxing column, itis desirable to maintain'a constant ratio. between the amount, of final'product or final distillate collected, and the quantity of condensate or refluxing medium returned to the tower. An approved method of refluxing is to re-circulate a portion of this final condensate. to the top of the tower; It is the purpose of the present invention to maintain a constant ratio between the final product or final distlllate collected and the returned refluxing medium by the interposition of a stream divider positioned in the line between the final condenser and receiver.

'Referringxto the drawings, the oil to be treated is introduced from any convenient source through the line 1. controlled by a valve 2, and is raised to a conversion temperature in the coil .3 positioned 1n the fur, nace 4. After passing through the heatlng coil, the oil is directed through thetransfer' line 5 regulated by a valve 6, to a conversion or expansion chamber 7 wherein the 011 is permitted to collect in a substantial body, the vapors passing of! through the. line 8 in which is interposed the valve 9, the unvaporized liquids being drawn'ofi either intermittently or continuously through either of the residuum lines 10 regulatedby the valves 11. The vapors passing from the expansion chamber are introduced into fractionmg column whereth y "re subgected to'a refluxin action, the separated condensate flowin ack through the dephlegmator leg 13 an, connecting line 14 controlled by. valve 15 to the charging line while the uncondensed vapors pass over from the top of the dephlegmator through the pipe 16 regulated ,by a valve 17 to the water condenser 18. The discharge end of the condenser is connected by means of the line 19 regulated by a valve 20.to the stream divider container or tank 21, in which the fluid} condensate is permitted to collect' vA drawoff line 22 communicating with the receiving tank 23 terminates in a standpipe 22 within the container. In addition to .the standpipe 22,

there are a plurality of standpipes 24 controlled by valves 25 which are manifolded outside of the container in a single line 26 which communicates with the suction side of the pump 27 whereby a part of the condensate may be returned through the line 28 regulated by a valve 29 to a spray pipe 30 positioned in the top of the fractionating column 12. By means of this pump, the condensate withdrawn from the container 21 through. the standpipes 24 is recycled and utilized as a refluxing medium in the dephlegmating or fractionating column.

As explained, the stream divider consists of a tank or container having one large.

overflow pipe leading to the receiving tank, and several smaller overflow pipes 24, the upper ends of which are at the same level as the pipef22 The smaller overflow pipes are manifolded outside of the container and the amount of product directed to the re-.

ceiver and the amount of reflux returned to the dephlegmating column remains constant.

an example of this control, 'as-' sume that the capacity of the four smaller pipes 24 manifolded to thesuction side'cf the pump 27 is equal to the capacity ofthe large overflow pipe to the receiver. Viith all of the valves 0 en the ratio oi the;

product to the refluxm' mediumv will bees 1 to 1 and this ratio will maintained no matter at what rate the total condensate is flowing.

By regulating the valves 25, a desiredvariance in this ratio maybe produced and the amount of condensate returned relative the final product may be accurately controlled. For atmospheric pressure operation, the container is provided with a gas vent line 31 controlled by a valve 32.

Although the stream divider is shown interposed in a crackin system, it is understood that it may be likewise positioned in any t pe of system in which liquid roducts are istilled, either ,under atmosp eric or 15 super'atmospheric pressure.

The receiving tank is equlpped with a pressure relief valve 33, pressure gauge 34, liquid level gauge 35, and a liquid drawoff line 36 controlled by a valve 37 whereby the conditions of operation may be accurately regulated.

I claim as my invention:

1. A stream divider for distilling systems comprising anenlarged container, an inlet line connected thereto, an outlet line in the form of a vertioal'standpipe communicating with a flowing reservoir, a pluralityqf rela tively smaller drawofl pipes having their upper extremities e uilevel with the outlet line, valves controlllng said lines whereby a constant ratio of the flow of liquids in the separate outlet lines is accurately controlled.

V 2.. A stream divider for distilling systems,

comprising an enlarged container, a li uid inlet line connected thereto, an outlet 'ne terminatingin a standpipe in the container,

a plurality of relatively smaller manifolded.

outlet lines terminating as standpipes in the container and having their upper extremities equilevel withthe larger outlet line.

CLAUDE. F. TEARS. 

